Message of the Executive Chairman

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) is working relentlessly with the mission to increase the volume of investment, diversification of export, employment generation and thereby strengthening the economic base of Bangladesh.

The success story of EPZ in Bangladesh has established BEPZA as a thriving organization in the country and as a brand in the global business arena.

BEPZA started its journey with one EPZ as “New Horizon” and gradually flourished eight EPZs with the fame as “Asia’s Low Cost Production Base”. BEPZA is well known as a success icon in the country in terms of investment friendly industrial enclave and Bangladesh EPZs are prominently known as Bonanza for the Investors.

Eight EPZs consists of only 2307.27 acres of land. From this very little area, BEPZA is contributing a huge impact in the economy of Bangladesh. More than 420,000 of workforces are working within the tiny piece of land and contributing over 18% to the total national export.

The authority is fully committed to accomplish the target of rapid industrialization of the country by attracting investment, boosting export, alleviation of poverty and women empowerment with the active support and direction of the Government of Bangladesh. Our achievement was remarkable in the last six years. We obtained 129.55% growth in investment, 155.95% in export and 112.30% in employment from 2009-14 with compared to 2003-08. So far, Bangladesh EPZs gained investment about US$ 3.6 billion. Export from these EPZs reached over US$ 46 billion. I am very glad that BEPZA is so far on the right track to achieve its target.

BEPZA is playing a pivotal role in socio-economic development of the country by creating job opportunities. Employment pattern of EPZ shows that it has been making significant contribution to the gradual empowerment of women in the country. Out of the total workforce, 64% are female. Moreover, under the directives of Honourable Prime Minister, BEPZA and Bangladesh Bank have jointly taken up a project to build dormitories for the EPZs’ female workers to play a supportive role. In the last five years, wages and other benefits of the EPZs’ workers have been increased twice. Presently, the minimum wages is US$ 70. Government has enacted “The EPZ Workers Welfare Association and Industrial Relations Act” keeping provision to form Workers Welfare Association (WWA) by the direct votes of the workers. The WWA is acting as CBA for the EPZ workers.

BEPZA is working continuously for the industrial development of the country. To do this job we never ignore the compliance and environmental issues in the EPZ areas. IR department and 60 Social Counselors strictly monitor the workplace safety & compliance related issues regularly. The authority has been allowed to set up hi-tech eco-friendly service oriented industries in EPZs. 30 Environment Counselors have been appointed to monitor the environmental issues of EPZs. Moreover, BEPZA has strong fire fighting team in every EPZ in order to ensure fire safety. The core strength of EPZs is the amicable relations within the Workers-Management-Owners and it always tries to keep this harmony bridge strong.

Technological development by the enterprises of EPZs has made the work easy to build a digital Bangladesh, one of the commitments of the present government to the nation. BEPZA introduced video conference system within the EPZs. Besides, it also has a dynamic website. Issuance of import-export permit online has already been introduced in Chittagong, Dhaka and Karnaphuli EPZs. Other EPZs will come under this automated system by this year.

BEPZA always reforms its expansion strategy and adjusts with the changing global scenario under the directives of Hon’ble Prime Minister. We are obliged to the Hon‘ble Prime Minister for her active directions as the Chairperson of BEPZA Board of Governors. Our golden Bangladesh is marching ahead under the dynamic leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister with the goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021. BEPZA is happy to become a proud partner in implementing the vision 2021.

We are thankful to the respected members of BEPZA Board of Governors for giving the necessary policy support. We are also grateful to our Principal Secretary for his valuable advice and directives. Finally, I would like to express my special thanks to our Executive Board, Efficient Officers and Employees for their sincerity & hard work, which made possible BEPZA as one of the successful organizations in the country. I would also like to express my profound gratitude to our valued investors and potential workforce who have provided us the real support that has enabled BEPZA to march forward and gain success.

We are happy to share our facts and achievement with the people as well as our stakeholders through this annual report as a consecutive publication.

I am confident that if these efforts and cohesive teamwork continues BEPZA will be able to keep this success and remain glorious as Bonanza for Investors.